Around Thimphu

Signs of the times. Complementing the widened Paro-Thimphu highway, these signs suggest many options, even though there's not really anywhere to go. The old highway signs were meter-high concrete posts, painted yellow and white, with the name of the next town and the distance remaining.



Talakha Peak blocks the south end of Thimphu Valley, and is said to offer the best views around. From the Danes' house in Simtokha, it was tantalizingly close. I've been dreaming of getting up there since last winter. Since the Danes were unavailable for a long hike, I made arrangements with a guide who could show me the way. But after 12 hours of rain, I decided that the trail would be too muddy for pleasant hiking... I'm glad I canceled the trip with that particular guide: I received a drunken phone call from him the following night, asking me to call any time, day or night, day or night.



A Thimphu traffic jam. A shortage of petrol caused a long line of cars. The new Minister of Agriculture has instituted 'walk to work day' on Tuesdays. This is expected to save thousands of liters of petrol and hundreds of thousands of ngultrum each year. Since walking is typically reserved for those not rich enough to own a car, lets see how long this lasts.



Another sign that would be more at home in SF's Castro District. I wonder what's on offer here?